Hiashi's gaze swept across Utatane Koharu's aged, panicked face like an icy blade.
"You shameless old woman. At your age, you're still deceiving Lord Third for a little power and influence."
Deceiving the Third?
At those words, Mitokado Homura's eyes widened, and he turned to Utatane Koharu in disbelief.
Had Koharu deceived Hiruzen again behind my back, or had someone discovered what we did together to deceive him?
Damn it, she still hadn't covered her tracks well enough.
With trembling hands, he picked up the crumpled sheet of paper on the desk and held it close for a careful look.
It was actually a Marriage Application Form, bearing the names "Hiruzen Sarutobi" and "Utatane Koharu"!
At a glance, the handwriting was clearly Hiruzen's and Koharu's. How could this be?
What?
Had Koharu actually toyed with Hiruzen's feelings? Had she tricked the Third into signing this form? Or had the two of them really...?
"Koharu, you... you and Hiruzen... when did you sign this?"
Mitokado Homura's voice rose out of its normal register, filled with shock and perhaps a trace of anger at being betrayed.
It wasn't that he had feelings for Utatane Koharu. Rather, as veteran advisers, the two of them had always stood together and acted in concert. He had never imagined that she would go behind his back and get involved in something like this with Hiruzen Sarutobi.
This wasn't merely a matter of personal conduct. It could affect the balance of power and the distribution of benefits within their little circle!
Utatane Koharu leaned over for a closer look as well, and her face instantly darkened.
Of course she knew it was a fake.
There had been nothing between her and Hiruzen Sarutobi even when they were young. Otherwise, how would Biwako ever have had a chance?